<p>Does anyone have any tips for learning C++ and Java? I don't even know where to start; what programs are used to write c++ and java? Are there any good free ones?</p>
<p>You mean compilers, right? For Java, JCreator is all right (can download it from Sun Microsystems website) but Netbeans is the best... I'm not exactly sure where my dad found it, though, sorry...</p>
<p>First, pick one to learn. Learning both at once is going to get you confused. Then get a book. I'm not sure which book to use since I just picked out a project to work on and learned as I went using references from the whole bookshelf of programming stuff my mom has. Sun java does have a whole appendix page with references to all the java code if you don't want to buy a book.</p>
<p>get a free C++ compiler here
<a href="http://www.bloodshed.net/%5B/url%5D">http://www.bloodshed.net/</a>
works great :D</p>
<p>Learn ruby!! :)</p>
<p>read before you start</p>
<p>what kinda things can you do by learning it? are there any useful applications</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Well, you can program...</p>
<p>well, obviously. i meant what kind of things can you do w/ programming, what exactly do you use it to do</p>
<p>make games... solve your math problems for you. </p>
<p>the list goes on :P</p>
<p>Learn C++ first. It's very easy to migrate from C++ to Java but much harder backwards. And assume that to be successful you'd need to keep your knowledge up in 3 major languages: C++, Java, and C# as well as mainstream libraries.</p>
<p>MinGW32 is the best from compilers for C++. As for learning, I'd suggest Deitels but if you feel hardcore go with Straustrup from the beginning. I mean, I learned from Straustrup when I was 11 so there should be no problem for you.</p>
<p>C++ isn't as widespread anymore and isn't the AP test language anymore but if you want to learn it I recommend the book by Gary Bronson...the title escapes me but the author is correct. I haven't used C++ since Mac OS 9 was current and for OS 9 I used Metroworks CodeWarrior. The Microsoft compiler for Windows isn't bad either, used that in a class on a Win2K box. I also recommend learning it first, it is a good bridge to Java.</p>
<p>For Java, I am one of the people who doesn't like JCreator. I use JJEdit on the Mac instead. Never tried Netbeans but it may be decent...if I had a Windows computer newer than a 486 in my house right now I'd try it. For a book, you will want to start with Barry Burd's "For Dummies" book. This is probably the best beginning Java book out there. I have heard that Horton or something like that makes a good advanced book once you're done with Barry Burd, but you can also find a lot of Java stuff online.</p>
<p>Avoid any book by Deitel & Deitel for either language. If a course makes you use it make sure you've got other books.</p>
<p>Java is an up and coming language. It's becoming faster, it's independent of operating systems, and a lot more popular libraries are being ported to Java.</p>
<p>lol. I signed up for a course in C (which would have gradually become C++) but it was SO boring that I left after two sessions, lol. I guess computers aren't really my thing.</p>
<p>I've spent a lot of time discussing computer education and so forth, so here's my advice:</p>
<p>1) If you're new to programming, don't start with C++ or Java. Yes, those are the languages that most enterprise- and business-scale software uses, as well as games, applets on the web, and some server-side web applications. However, they are also in many ways less flexible than some of the newer languages out there, and come with more legacy baggage (precisely because they have to cater to so many different applications which may still use older specifications of the language). If you insist on starting with one of the two languages, though, Java is better - C++ pointers and memory management are something you don't want to have to deal with as a new programmer.</p>
<p>However, if you're looking to learn general programming concepts (as I suggest you do first), start with a language like Python or Ruby. Both languages have easy syntax for the beginning programmer, and are more high level than either Java or C++. They're not as fast, but face it, as a beginner you're not going to be programming anything that should be affected by the speed advantages of C++ or Java. Ruby may be especially fun, because it has an easy-to-use web framework (Ruby on Rails).</p>
<p>2) If you're interested in a unique experience programming from a blank slate of no knowledge, try a functional programming language, like Haskell, Lisp, Scheme or Smalltalk. These languages are often hard to learn for programmers already ingrained with the imperative or object-oriented programming paradigms, but for a new programmer, learning these from scratch could be easier, and definitely would be easier than trying to wrap your head around them later (their structure and logic is much different than "traditional" languages).</p>
<p>If you're insistent on learning Java or C++, though, the Dev-C++ compiler linked to at bloodshed is very good, as is JCreator for Java, though in my opinion the best Java IDE is Eclipse.</p>
<p>However, despite the ease and utility offered by IDEs, I'd suggest as a new programmer starting off by using the command-line compiler tools, or interpreters. With an IDE you're only likely to be using the "Compile" and "Execute" functions, so the rest is a waste, and it's important to learn what actually goes on when you compile a program without the obfuscation of an IDE.</p>
<p>Wow, great advice. I too have heard that Python is really easy for beginners. Anyone else agree besides 1of42?</p>
<p>I tried installing Netbeans, but a message comes up and says you do not have a JDK and you do not have the Java Virtual Machine. Does anyone know how to get these? I googled them and there seems to be lots of different versions...I'm not sure what to use</p>
<p>use <a href="http://www.download.com%5B/url%5D">www.download.com</a> its what i use to download pretty much anything</p>
<p>Pick either C, C++, or Java, and don't move on until you're competent your first choice. This is in order to avoid confusion.</p>
<p>I personally recommend Java because there's less quirks to it than C++. Once you understand it well, you should be able to move on to C++ and get used to the problems. However, it will just be long and difficult if you start with C++. It is simply not as clean or structured as Java. Also, because of Java's nature, it gets you in the habit of good programming - a skill that you might not learn if you do the shortcuts that C++ allows.</p>
<p>As for a Java IDE - start with something simple like BlueJ.</p>
<p>pick C#...that's the best one to learn first.</p>